#DomIsBack MASON MEN FALL TO DAYTON BEFORE HEADING HOME

Remember me? 

I’m back! (For one game)

Let’s get this recap started. 

On Friday, George Mason (8-8, 4-6 A10) traveled to Dayton (11-5, 7- 4 A10) in a close, but not so close contest. 

Mason led in this one for zero minutes and it looked like they would never pull ahead in this game. 

In the first half, Dayton scored 36 points, going 14-29 from the field, 7-13 from behind the arc, and grabbed 18 rebounds in the process. 

Mason scored 32 points, going 14-31 from the field, a 2-11 from three and recorded 15 rebounds. 

The three-point shooting was the theme throughout this game for Dayton. Time after time Mason’s 3pt defense would leave wide-open shots for easy threes. 

In the second half, Mason was outscored by Dayton by 5 points, 38-33. The Patriots went 11-38 for FG’s, 6-19 from three (thanks to Tyler Kolek), and registered 20 rebounds. 

Dayton went 14-25 from the field, 5-10 from three, and recorded 20 rebounds. 

MASON LOSES 74-65 TO DAYTON 

Some notable things from this game: 

PREPARATION: I don’t know what Mason did to prepare for the Ibi Watson and Jalen Crutcher Show™ but it wasn’t enough. Poor scouting? They’re just really good? Or is our defense in disarray? I don’t know. These two combined for 41 of Dayton’s 74 points. We need to start defending the star players of the opposing team better or else we’ll end up like this every single night.    

Are we ready for Fordham? Head coach Dave Paulsen said in the presser that, “Fordham can beat anyone, we can beat anyone, you can lose to anyone. There’s no way of ensuring anything.” This Fordham team has beaten teams they should not have beaten. However, Mason needs to prepare to not end up as another one of those victims. I think this game might be real close if we end up underestimating the Rams. 

Obligatory final four segment!

— By George. (@ByGeorgeGMU) February 6, 2021

I don’t know about you, but must every broadcast bring up the Final Four? It’s been 15 years, and we don’t have much to show from it after Coach L left. Broadcasters, leave the game notes from 2006 at home, how about bringing some from this decade or the last?

State of the Program: Where do we stand now? Paulsen thinks we’re close to the top four, but not there yet. 

“I think if we get everyone playing well on the same day, I think we can beat anyone,” Paulsen said. “But the big issue is consistency across the board. And that’s a subtle thing, so clearly we’re not there right now. And yet I think we’ve shown stretches in every game that we can be. So, it’s just a matter of getting more consistency from our veteran guys. I think what’s key is getting a little more consistent productivity off the bench. I think that that’s important in being able to go on a road in a tough environment and finish plays.”

Paulsen has one year remaining on his contract after this season — his destiny is in his own hands. 

The Patriots head back home for Fordham on Wednesday and the Dukes next Saturday.

Stay safe.